I'm writing an essay on how the issue starvation in the book is also a social/cultural concern and does anyone know what it means by: explain how written conventions have influenced your reading?

The issue of starvation weaves throught the entire book as a recurring motif. In essence, all of the characters are starving for the basics, but also for the intangible: stability, safety, love, concern, belonging. One of the conventions used would be imagery especially the one scene wherre they see a newborn infant being cooked over a fire.